Coaster arrangement

ABSTRACT

A coaster arrangement comprises a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler. A support in the receptacle holds a tumbler snugly in the receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the bottom plate of the receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of the receptacle. The support directs moisture forming on the tumbler into a basin formed in the plate and prevents such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle.

nited States Patent [72] Inventor Henry Abbey 71 1 Shore Road, Long Beach, N.Y. 11561 [21] Appl. No. 54,198 [22] Filed July 13, 1970 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [54] COASTER ARRANGEMENT 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 248/346.1, 215/1005, 248/145.3 [51 Int. Cl A47b 43/04 [50] Field of Search 248/346, 346.1, 310, 31 1, 145.3; 21 N74; 215/1005; 161/42; 229/l.5 H

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,268,198 8/1966 Swett 248/346] 2,727,645 12/1955 Dore 215/1005 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,271,112 7/1961 France 248/346 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss AnorneyDaniel Jay Tick ABSTRACT: A coaster arrangement comprises a receptacle for housing at least the'lower part of a tumbler. A support in the receptacle holds a tumbler snugly in the receptacle with the bottom ofthe tumbler spaced from the bottom plate of the receptacle and with thesides spaced from the cylinder of the receptacle. The support directs moisture forming on the tumbler into a basin formed in the plate and prevents such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle.

PATENTEU JAN 1 1972 INVENTOR HENRY ABBEY BY 0 HIS ATTORNEY 1 COASTER ARRANGEMENT DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a coaster arrangement. More particularly, the invention relates to a coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler.

When a tumbler contains a liquid which is cold, relative to its surroundings such as, for example, a beverage having ice cubes therein, moisture forms on the outside of said tumbler. In most cases, a coaster is utilized with the tumbler. The coaster is generally a relatively flat plate of paper, plastic, cardboard, metal, cork, or any other suitable material and is interposed between the bottom of the tumbler and a surface on which the tumbler rests. The purpose of the coaster is to protect the surface of the table, or other furniture on which the tumbler rests, from moisture forming on the outside of the tumbler. Known types of tumblers are deficient in protecting a furniture surface from moisture forming on the outside of a tumbler, since they do not include any arrangement for preventing the moisture from running over onto the furniture, seeping through the coaster onto the furniture, or dripping from tumbler onto the furniture. The removal of a tumbler or glass from a coaster results in the dripping of moisture both on the furniture and the person holding the glass and often, because of the partial suction created between the wet or damp glass and the coaster, the raising and falling of the coaster, results in spilling the moisture and/or otherwise wetting, marring or damaging furniture or a surface supporting the tumbler or coaster.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved coaster arrangement.

An object of the invention is to provide a coaster arrangement which stores moisture forming on the outside of a tumbler housed in the coaster arrangement and prevents such moisture from escaping.

An object of the invention is to provide a coaster arrangement which supports a tumbler snugly in a receptacle which collects moisture forming on the outside of the tumbler.

An object of the invention is to provide a coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and for directing moisture forming on the tumbler into a basin at the bottom of the tumbler and storing the moisture in the basin.

An object of the invention is to provide a coaster arrangement of simple structure for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture formed on the tumbler.

An object of the invention is to provide a coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture formed on the tumbler with efficiency, effectiveness and reliability.

In accordance with the invention, a coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler comprises a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler. The receptacle comprises a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein. A support in the receptacle holds a tumbler snugly in the receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of the receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of the receptacle. The support directs moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and prevents such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle.

The support removably rests in the receptacle. The support comprises a corrugated sheet of flexible material adapted to be placed in the receptacle with its corrugations extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder from substantially to substantially 89.

The support comprises a sheet of flexible material having alternate ridges and hollows formed therein and adapted to be spaced in substantially cylindrical configuration in the cylinder with its ridges and hollows extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder of the receptacle from substantially 0 to substantially 89 with each ridge having an inner elemental surface adapted to contact a tumbler in the receptacle and each hollow having an outer elemental surface adapted to contact the cylinder of the receptacle. The sheet of flexible material has a plurality of inwardly extending projections formed therein near an edge of the sheet and the projections support the bottom of a tumbler in the receptacle at a specific distance above the plate of the receptacle.

The sheet of flexible material comprises any suitable material such as, for example, synthetic material such as, for example, plastic material, having overlapping free ends. Liquid absorbing means are provided in the basin of the plate of the receptacle. The plate of the receptacle may be of plastic material having a lip formed around its periphery to form a liquid retaining basin.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the coaster arrangement of the invention with a tumbler supported therein;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, taken along the lines of 33 of FIG. 2.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

In the FIGS., a receptacle 1 houses at least the lower part of a tumbler 2. The tumbler 2 may comprise any suitable vessel for containing a liquid, which vessel forms moisture on the outside thereof when the liquid stored therein is colder than its surroundings. The tumbler 2 usually comprises a drinking glass, but may, of course, comprise a plastic or metal drinking vessel.

The receptacle comprises a substantially hollow cylinder 3 closed at the bottom by a plate 4. The plate 4 is formed as a basin, by a lip 5 (FIG. 2) which is formed around its periphery. The plate may comprise any suitable material for retaining a liquid such as, for example, plastic, metal, or the like. The basin formed by the lip 5 functions to store or collect liquid therein without leakage therefrom.

The cylinder 3 may comprise any suitable material, and need not be waterproof. The purposes of the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1 are to house the tumbler 2, to provide a convenient means for handling and using said tumbler and to provide a decorative housing for said tumbler. The cylinder 3 may thus comprise paper or cardboard covered with a decorative sheet of paper of any desired pattern. The cylinder 3 and the plate 4 may be formed integrally, of the same of different materials, or, in the interest of specific manufacturing processes, may comprise separate components joined together on assembly.

In accordance with the invention, a support is provided in the receptacle 1 for holding the tumbler 2 snugly in the receptacle with the bottom 6 (FIG. 2) of said tumbler spaced from the plate 4 of said receptacle and with the sides of said tumbler spaced from the cylinder 3 of said receptacle. In accordance with the invention, the support directs moisture forming on the tumbler 2 into the basin of the plate 4 and prevents such moisture from wetting the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1.

The support comprises a corrugated sheet 7 of any suitable flexible material such as, for example, a synthetic material or plastic. The support 7 is removably placed in the receptacle 1 with its corrugations extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder 3 from substantially 0 to substantially 89. The support 7 is preferably placed in the receptacle I with its free ends 8 and 9 (FIG. 3) in overlapping relation. The corrugations preferably extend parallel to the elements of the cylinder 3.

Before the support 7 is inserted into the receptacle 1, it is rolled into substantially cylindrical configuration with its free ends 8 and 9 in overlapping relation. The support 7 is then inserted in the receptacle, with its corrugations extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder 3 from substantially 0 to substantially 89, until said support rests on the plate 4 which forms the bottom of the receptacle 1. The tumbler 2 is then seated in the area surrounded by the support 7, so that said support is interposed between said tumbler and the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1. Due to the dimensions and the overlapping of the free ends 8 and 9 of the support 7, the tumbler 2 is held tightly and snugly in the receptacle 1 and cannot be removed from said receptacle except by manual force.

The sheet 7 of flexible material has alternate ridges l1 and hollows 12 formed therein. The ridges 11 and the hollows 12 extend at an angle to the elements of the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1 from substantially to substantially 89 Each ridge 11 has an inner elemental surface which when inserted, is substantially concentric with the sides of the tumbler 2 and with the cylinder 3, and which extends at an angle to the elements of said cylinder and said tumbler from substantially 0 to substantially 89. The inner elemental surface of each ridge 11 contacts the tumbler 2 in the receptacle 1 and insures that said tumbler is held snugly in said receptacle with its sides spaced from the cylinder 3 of said receptacle.

Each hollow 12 of the sheet 7 of flexible material has an outer elemental surface which, when inserted, is concentric with the tumbler 2 and the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1 and which extends at an angle to the elements of the sides of said tumbler and of said cylinder from substantially 0 to substantially 89. The outer elemental surface of each hollow 12 contacts the cylinder 3 of the receptacle 1. The corrugated design of the support 7 thus results in moisture forming on the tumbler 2 being directed, via the hollows 12 of said support, into the basin of the plate 4 at the bottom of the receptacle 1.

The support 7 supports the tumbler 2 in the receptacle 1 in a manner whereby the bottom 6 of said tumbler is spaced a predetermined distance from the plate 4 of said receptacle. This is accomplished by an inwardly extending projection 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) formed in each of the ridges 1.1 of the sheet 7 of flexible material. The projections 13 may be formed in the hollows 12, if desired. Each of the inwardly extending projections 13 is formed near the lower edge of the sheet 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The projections 13 support the bottom 6 of the tumbler 2, as shown in FIG. 2, at a specific distance above the plate 4 of said receptacle.

Any suitable liquid absorbing means such as, for example, a section of sponge 14 (F168. 1 and 2), or the like, may be provided in the basis formed in the plate 4 of the receptacle 1. The sponge 14 functions to absorb liquid flowing into the basin of the plate 4 via the hollows 12 of the support 7. The sponge 14 is preferably removable.

The coaster arrangement of the invention thus functions to hold the tumbler 2 therein snugly and tightly until the user decides to remove said tumbler by manual force. Until such time, the tumbler 2 is held in the receptacle 1 in a manner whereby it will not slip out. Moisture fonning on the tumbler 2 is channeled into the basin formed in the plate 4 and is stored therein. The liquid in the basin formed in the plate 4 is retained therein, without spillage or leakage from the receptacle 1, until such time as the user removes the tumbler 2 and drains said receptacle in the same manner as the tumbler would be drained. If the sponge 14 is of suflicient dimensions, it may absorb all the moisture gathered in the plate 4 and may thus avoid the necessity for draining the receptacle 1. In such case, the sponge 14 would merely have to be wrung, after it is removed from the receptacle 1, following the removal of the tumbler 2 from said receptacle.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Iclairn:

l. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler,

said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and

supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means comprising a sheet of flexible material directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle.

2. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a corrugated sheet of flexible material.

3. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a sheet of flexible material shaped to direct moisture from the tumbler to the basin of the plate.

4. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a sheet of flexible material having channels formed therein to direct moisture from the tumbler to the basin of the plate.

5. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler,

said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and

supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle, said supporting means comprising a corrugated sheet of flexible material adapted to be placed in said receptacle with its corrugations extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder from substantially 0 to substantially 89.

6. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler,

said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and

supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle, said supporting means comprising a sheet of flexible material having alternate ridges and hollows formed therein and adapted to be placed in substantially cylindrical configuration in said receptacle with its ridges and hollows extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder of said receptacle from substantially 0 to substantially 89 with each ridge having an inner elemental surface adapted to contact a tumbler in the receptacle and each hollow having an outer elemental surface adapted to contact the cylinder of said receptacle.

7. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a plurality of inwardly extending projections formed therein near an edge of said sheet and the projections support the bottom of a tumbler in the receptacle at a specific distance above the plate of said receptacle.

8. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sheet of flexible material comprises synthetic material having overlapping free ends.

the plate of said receptacle has a lip formed around its periphery to form a liquid retaining basin.

H. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plate of said receptacle is of plastic material. 5 r w w m =0: 

1. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler, said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means comprising a sheet of flexible material directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle.
 2. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a corrugated sheet of flexible material.
 3. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a sheet of flexible material shaped to direct moisture from the tumbler to the basin of the plate.
 4. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a sheet of flexible material having channels formed therein to direct moisture from the tumbler to the basin of the plate.
 5. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler, said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the plate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle, said supporting means comprising a corrugated sheet of flexible material adapted to be placed in said receptacle with its corrugations extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder from substantially 0* to substantially 89*.
 6. A coaster arrangement for supporting a tumbler and storing moisture forming on the tumbler, said coaster arrangement comprising a receptacle for housing at least the lower part of a tumbler, said receptacle comprising a substantially hollow cylinder closed at the bottom by a plate formed as a basin to retain liquid therein; and supporting means in said receptacle for holding a tumbler snugly in said receptacle with the bottom of the tumbler spaced from the pLate of said receptacle and with the sides spaced from the cylinder of said receptacle, said supporting means directing moisture forming on the tumbler into the basin of the plate and preventing such moisture from wetting a surface supporting the tumbler or receptacle, said supporting means comprising a sheet of flexible material having alternate ridges and hollows formed therein and adapted to be placed in substantially cylindrical configuration in said receptacle with its ridges and hollows extending at an angle to the elements of the cylinder of said receptacle from substantially 0* to substantially 89* with each ridge having an inner elemental surface adapted to contact a tumbler in the receptacle and each hollow having an outer elemental surface adapted to contact the cylinder of said receptacle.
 7. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet of flexible material has a plurality of inwardly extending projections formed therein near an edge of said sheet and the projections support the bottom of a tumbler in the receptacle at a specific distance above the plate of said receptacle.
 8. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sheet of flexible material comprises synthetic material having overlapping free ends.
 9. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 7, further comprising liquid-absorbing means in the basin of the plate of the receptacle and wherein the sheet of flexible material has overlapping free ends.
 10. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plate of said receptacle has a lip formed around its periphery to form a liquid retaining basin.
 11. A coaster arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plate of said receptacle is of plastic material. 